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Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy
I agree that the biggest single thing they could do is make the process less complicated. They need to eliminate the need for detailed maps and drawings for small projects.
Some ideas.....
Cut down a dead tree. (Have a photo for proof)
Cut down a live tree that is less than 6 inches in diameter and constitutes less than 5% of your tree area as measured a 5 feet off ground. (Save photo proof)
Trim bushes down to 50% of their original volume. (Save photo proof)
Plant native items that already grow naturally within 1/4 mile of your planting. For example we would like to plant Hemlock trees to help nature hide our camp.
Things that sit on the ground and can be moved away should be easy to implement.
Restore landscaping to appear more natural and less imposed. (photo proof)
Repair docks without expansion.
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To this list I would add encouragement for homeowners to learn how to care for and improve the health of their woodland (foresters say that overgrowth is never good for a forest or for fire safety), and allow the following:
(1) Cut down a less-healthy/malformed tree that is having a negative impact on the growth of a healthier/straighter-growing tree (growing too close, overshadowing, etc.)
(2) Cut overgrown brush in the interest of wildfire safety.
(3) Cut down a tree that is alive but not healthy (while leaving dead tree trunks that are homes to wildlife, provided they don't pose a safety threat.)
(4) Cut down any tree that poses a threat to safety (history of dropping limbs, leaning precariously, not solidly rooted, etc.
(5) Repair or cleanup of storm, flood, or iceout damage.
(6) Filling areas where trees have uprooted or where large rocks have become displaced over time.
(7) Normal DIY homeowner tasks. Many of the less-affluent waterfront owners have been here for years and are accustomed to performing their own home & property maintenance. Skyrocketing taxes makes DIY even more important because now there is less money for hiring professionals. The DES should try to encourage such people to stay. If they leave, their property would probably sell to someone with enough money to replace the entire site with something of much greater size and environmental impact -- all under permits obtained by well-paid lawyers.
I agree with Formula260SS that planting of native plants should not require a permit. Perhaps the DES should consider putting out a Woodland Maintenance Guide to waterfront owners, that explains stuff like this in words and pictures. If this is done, it should be interesting enough so people will actually enjoy reading it, yet informative, explaining how the ecosystem works and perhaps including tips for encouraging certain types of wildlife (loons, eagles, etc.) The DES could probably save a few pennies on the production of such a guide by farming it out to UNH seniors/grad students as a "for credit" interdiscplinary project between Environmental Conservation and English... both strong programs at UNH...